After years of struggle and self-sacrifice, this newspaper rightly gave local Gosnells woman and Australia’s first medal winning female boxer Caitlin Parker her rightful dues (Gosnells Examiner front page August 8).
Caitlin has been pursuing her dream since the age of 15, often giving up her personal time, missing special events held by family and friends to realise her dream of attaining both Silver Commonwealth and Bronze Olympic medals.
She has now proudly achieved that goal at the age of 28 and proud she should be, along with all those who have supported her.
The Examiner has been following the local boxer and former Gosnells woman since early 2018 when she was training at a local gym in Gosnells under the guidance of the ‘man in her corner’ and local boxing trainer Fox Wilkinson.
So why, after years of hard work, has her (well deserved) thunder been stolen by one woman’s bizarre performance in breakdancing?
People, mostly her family and Olympic team mates and coaches, as well as the Prime Minister, have thrown their support behind Rachael Gunn (Raygun) saying the judges’ decision was unfair and she did her best etc.
Team Australia chef de mission Anna Meares was vocal in throwing her support behind Raygun, saying she was a popular team member and a great break dancer etc, copping flak from various quarters for her statements.
The media and the public have asked questions as to whether it was a stunt, how she got there and if she was the best contestant?
But why does any of that matter?
What matters are athletes like Caitlin, who have trained very hard for a great proportion of their lives to achieve medal status at the highest level.
Those who have made it their life’s purpose, like Caitlin Parker.
Our local hero will always be just that…a quiet achiever.
Caitlin Parker is a humble person and has been described by her boxing coach as “shy” yet she went on to prove her worth during her bouts to win a medal for her country.
Remember this is competition at the highest level and those athletes like Caitlin Parker deserve all the praise and support we can give them.
Tim Mayne is the Editor of Examiner Newspapers.
